MINNEAPOLIS – June 7, 2011 – CenterPoint Energy is near completion of a joint city street and utility improvement project in the area of Arneson Acres in the city of Edina. The company anticipates completion of a 24-inch natural gas main installation project at the end of this month. Following completion of the project, the streets and curbs will be restored to original condition, allowing for ease of traffic flow along 70th Street.

“We work closely with our cities to take advantage of planned underground utility projects to reduce interference in the day-to-day activities of our customers,” said Tod Norgren, area manager for CenterPoint Energy.

On Thursday, June 9th, CenterPoint Energy crews plan to purge the new pipeline before placing it in service. “When we purge the new pipeline, a distinct odor will be released from the gas valve at 70th Street and West Shore Drive, which is part of our safety processes to ensure that the pipeline is clear, before it is pressurized. While the odor should not indicate a gas leak or a safety concern in the area, our crews will be monitoring the project to safely place the line into service” added Norgren.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc., headquartered in Houston, Texas, is a domestic energy delivery company that includes electric transmission and distribution, natural gas distribution, competitive natural gas sales and services, interstate pipelines and field services operations. The company serves more than five million metered customers primarily in Arkansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas. Assets total more than $20 billion. With about 8,800 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 135 years. In Minnesota, CenterPoint Energy is the state’s largest natural gas distribution utility, serving about 800,000 customers in 260 communities. The utility also operates a non-regulated business in Minnesota called Home Service Plus®. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.